INFORMATION #4 10-02-2006
GREAT RIVER
ENE R G Y@
17845 East Highway 10 . P.O. Box 800 . Elk River, Minnesota 55330-0800 . 763-441-3121 . Fax 763-241-2366
September 13, 2006
EL Line Rebuild
WO #40321
SCOTT CLARK
COMMUNITY DEV DIRECTOR
CITY OF ELK RIVER
13065 ORONO PKWY
ELK RIVER MN 55330
.'i
1 4 Z006
SUBJECT: Great River Energy's North Elk River to Zimmerman "EL" Transmission Line Rebuild
Parcel No. 75-128-0001 and 75-672-0003
Great River Energy (GRE), wholesale electric power supplier to Connexus Energy, is planning to
reconstruct and upgrade a segment of its 69 kV "EL" transmission line between Elk River and
Zimmerman. The transmission line rebuild project extends from the North Elk River Substation,
located two miles north of Elk River on Highway 169 to the Zimmerman Substation located along
County Road 45 in Zimmerman (see enclosed map and fact sheet). The planned upgrade is
necessary due to the increased electrical loads in the area and due to the age and operating
condition of the existing transmission line.
In certain areas along County Road 45, it may be necessary to shift the new pole alignment ten (10)
to fifteen (15) feet further from the road. This shift in alignment is needed to accommodate
anticipated future road improvement projects along CR 45. A representative from GRE will contact
you to discuss this alignment shift.
There will be tree removal associated with this project. Tree removal will be confined to the
transmission line easement area and a representative from GRE will contact you before tree and
vegetation removal takes place on your property. Construction activities including tree removal
which is scheduled to commence during the fall of 2006 with completion in the spring of 2007.
You may call me at 763-241-2337 or Joanie Miller at 763-241-5764, if you have any questions. GRE
and Connexus Energy sincerely appreciate your cooperation in its efforts to deliver safe and reliable
electricity to its customers.
Sincerely,
GREAT RIVER ENERGY
~ ~ /1-
Rick Heuring
Field Representative
Enclosure
CC: Larry Peterson, Connexus Energy
RH :jh\r:\t1ines\elrebuild\notificationltrs\landownerltr.doc
Direcillial (761) 7.41-/117
F-MlIi1rheuring@grenergy.cOill--+- . FAX (763) ?41-6011
A Touchstone Energl Cooperative ~'1.):.
-
EL Line Rebuild Project
GREAT RIVER
E - r~rCR- d-Y.
GREAT RIVER ENERGY
17845 East Hwy 10 P.O. Box 800
Elk River, MN 55330-0800
1-800-442-3013
www.greatriverenergy.com
. ~ CONNEXUS1J
.. · ENERGY
"","
~/IIIf'
Your Comnlunity Energy Partner
CONNEXUS@ ENERGY
14601 Ramsey Blvd NW
Ramsey, MN 55303
1.800.642.1672 Toll-free
info@connexusenergy.com
Project Need
Great River Energy, power supplier to Connexus Energy, is planning to reconstruct a segment of its existing "EL"
69,000 volt (69 kV) transmission line extending from North Elk River to Zimmerman (see location map on back). The
transmission line rebuild is necessary due to increased electrical loads in the Connexus service area. Furthermore,
the age and marginal condition of the existing transmission line is a major contributing factor in this proposed upgrade.
In isolated cases, the existing line fails to meet new code requirements for ground clearance, posing a safety issue
that needs to be corrected.
Typical New
69 kV Transmission Structure
Planned Project
The eight mile segment of transmission line will be rebuilt with heavier conductor
wires connected to horizontal post insulators that are attached to new single
wood poles (see photo on this page). The typical height of the new poles will be
55 to 65 feet above the ground. In addition to the three energized wires, an un-
energized shield wire will be attached at the top of the pole. This wire is
grounded and provides lightening protection for the transmission line. The shield
wire will also incorporate a fiber optic communication line for monitoring and
operating the GRE transmission system. The transmission line voltage will remain
the same, and with few exceptions, the new poles will be on the same alignment
as the existing poles.
TreeNegetation Maintenance and Construction
There will be tree removal and trimming associated with this project. Prior to any
tree removal or trimming activity, a representative of GRE will directly contact
property owners to discuss the extent of the work. GRE construction personnel
will communicate and coordinate with the property owners along the transmission
corridor regarding access to the easement area. Fences may need to be
temporarily removed during construction.
Schedule
Construction activities will commence during the late Fall of 2006. The work will begin with tree removal and trimming
activity. Transmission line construction is scheduled to be completed by Summer of 2007.
Contact
Rick Heuring
Field Representative
GREAT RIVER ENERGY
763.241.2337
rheuring@grenergy,com
9/6/2006
PROJECT MAP
tv) 11
~
'='
~
1
C75
()
15
14
19
20
() 21
;0
23
24
Rebuild Existing
69 kV Transmission Line
30
28
27
25
CD
C'J
CR
31
CR32.
32
33
35
36
---
6
=-~ -EB-
4
2
-1
E MS1
s ,,----, ------ --------
SM2 ELSM 10
Rice lake SS
8 ~~S~140 ~
( I
~j/
<. -""'''''->.,--, 1 6
) /
:.0:.. ,,/ -~c:.~:......,;:lJ
c".,'"=~
"
~'\t
o
o 11
1-z---'\
\